Robert Keith Yorgason

On December 30, 2021, the patriarch of our family, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, completed his journey in mortality and was welcomed into his Heavenly home by his beloved wife, dear family members, and other cherished friends.

Bob was born June 26, 1932 in East Ely, Nevada to Harris Leroy and Francis Marion Yorgason.  In his early childhood, his parents divorced and little “Bobby” and his brother Ralph, were entrusted to the loving care of their Grandma Yorgason. 

When his father remarried, Bob and Ralph returned to live with him and their stepmother Beulah, first in East Ely and later in Salt Lake.  Bob (as he was now called) was thirteen at this time.

Bob’s father was a railroad man and soon moved to Price where he heard work was available.  For a short time, Bob lived with his Uncle Wes and Aunt Zada.  He was welcomed into their family and loved spending time with his cousin Gloyd, with whom he had a lifelong friendship.

When Bob was fifteen years of age, he began a new chapter in his life.  He moved to Fountain Green, Utah to live with his Aunt Lois and Uncle Tedd.  A few days after enrolling into Junior High School, he met the girl who was to become the love of his life, Lorna Draper.  Within a few months he had become best friends and partners in all kinds of escapades with Bruce Nielsen.  While living in Fountain Green, he had the opportunity to get to know and love his Grandpa “Bump” Yorgason as they herded sheep together. 

As he began his high school years, Bob was invited to live with his Aunt Helen and her son Gerry in Moroni.  Helen often allowed Bob to borrow her car.  Bob rarely missed a Saturday night dance, and he became quite a dancer.  Bob and Lorna dated frequently during their senior year. 

In May of 1951, after graduation from High School, Bob moved to Payson to live with his father, stepmother Odessa and her daughter Floy Kaye.  It was here that he got his first real job at Geneva Steel.  Bob and Lorna continued dating as Bob prepared to enlist in the U.S. Navy.  He began his military service on March 17, 1952.  While he was stationed in San Diego, Bob and Lorna were married on September 8, 1952, by a navy chaplain.  They were later sealed in the Manti Temple on July 30, 1954.  Bob spent most of his time in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Essex.

After serving four years in the Navy, the couple returned to Payson.  When they had the gas turned on in their new home, the gas man who performed the service was Dix Grace.  Dix grew up in Nephi and had heard of Bob Yorgason.  Bob had also heard of Dix Grace. They competed for dates with the girls in Fountain Green but had never met.  They soon became the best of friends.  Over the next 50 years they camped, hunted, fished, four-wheeled, and rode snow mobiles together, often including their spouses and children on their camping trips.  There continues to be a special bond of friendship and love between the Yorgason and Grace families.

Through the years, Bob worked for a number of companies including Geneva Steel, Wesley Green Roofing, Western Electric, Hercules and American Roofing.  He was known for his dependability and for always giving an honest day’s work for a day’s pay.  Even in his senior years there were few who could outwork him.  He was well liked and respected by his co-workers and supervisors, and formed lasting friendships with many including Mike Marich, whom he met while working at Western Electric.

Bob knew how to work, and he knew how to play.  He was the ultimate weekend warrior.  He loved getting out of the city to enjoy the outdoors.  Lorna said he was the first person to get out of town Friday after work, and the last to return home Sunday evening at the end of the weekend.

Bob was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He enjoyed attending sacrament meeting with his wife and later, after her passing, participating via zoom.  He loved receiving visits from the ward missionaries, Tex Christiansen and Ron White and his ministering brother Bryan Money and his wife Kay. 

Bob’s life was centered around his family and his friends.  When Bob became your friend, he was your friend for life.  Especially for the special people in his life, Bob was always willing to offer his help.  He joined in many painting projects even when he hated to paint.  He never forgot those who had been kind to him, especially his angel aunts, Helen Sanderson and Lois Johnson.  He made it a priority to continue to visit them until they both passed away over the age of ninety.

He found a special joy in welcoming his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the world, spending time with them and watching them grow.  He enjoyed attending their ball games, dance concerts, piano recitals, and other special activities.

When it came to working on family projects, Bob was always willing to pick up a hammer or shovel and pitch in to get things done.  Whether it was laying sod at the ranch, building the family cabin, or restoring Grandma and Grandpa Draper’s old home in Fountain Green, Bob was in the middle of it.  For his family, the best part of any project, was working alongside Grandpa Bob.

He and his wife made holidays a joyful time of gathering the family together.  After her passing, as his health and mobility declined, the highlight of his day was to receive a visit from his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren.  Everyone loved to hear his stories.  He will be remembered for his humor and wit, his immaculately clean vehicles and for his love of the color blue.  The most appropriate gift for Bob was a gift of something blue.

Bob’s strength of character and his legacy of love, service and devotion to his family and friends will never cease to be remembered and will shine as an example for his descendants and for all who were privileged to know him.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lorna; father Harris LeRoy Yorgason; mother Francis Marion Coates; stepmother Odessa Singleton Yorgason; and his brother Ralph Yorgason. 

He is survived by his children, Keith (Diane) Yorgason, Brent (Nancy) Yorgason and Lori (David) Friel; 19 grandchildren (and spouses) and 56 great-grandchildren; stepsister Kaye (Mike) O’Brien; brother-in-law Neil (Pat) Draper.

Funeral services will be held at the Riverview Ward Chapel, 1327 West 5550 South, Taylorsville on Friday January 7^th at 10:00 am with a brief viewing from 9:00 – 9:45 am.  There will also be a viewing the previous evening, Thursday, January 6^th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.

Funeral services for Bob will be available to view Zoom using this link.  Bob Yorgason Funeral Services

Interment will be at the Fountain Green City cemetery.